Get to know South Auckland

South Auckland is a cultural hub with contemporary happenings. Switch from regional parks to white-water parks; dine à la mode and visit enchanting places.

MANUKAU

Home to the largest Polynesian community in the world. Discover Pacific Island food, music and art at Ōtara Flea Market, held every Saturday from 6am-12pm, as well as a food scene flush with Pasifika inspiration.

© Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku, Māngere, South Auckland

MANGERE

Discovery is everything in Māngere. Explore former Māori settlements, see the remains of Māori and European stone structures at Ōtuataua Stonefields and get to know the area’s local cultures at Mangere Arts Centre – Nga Tohu o Uenuku.

Ōtara Market, South Auckland

PUKEKOHE & BOMBAY

Highlights include chugging across the countryside on-board a heritage steam train with Glenbrook Vintage Railway, or descending on Simunovich Olive Estate’s acclaimed restaurant, Bracu.

VILLA MARIA ESTATE

New for summer 2020, New Zealand’s most awarded winery, Villa Maria Estate, has transformed its former restaurant into The Tasting Room. Limited to 10 guests, unique wine experiences are combined with contemporary small plates and platters to highlight the flavours of each wine varietal.

© Villa Maria Estate, South Auckland

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

• At Butterfly Creek you can hang out in the tropical butterfly house, see huge moving dinosaurs, meet saltwater crocodiles, interact with farm animals, take a train ride and more.

• Aim high at Rocket Ropes high ropes activity park.

• Play a round of mini-golf, have a paintball battle or zoom around on a go-kart track.

• Visit Ambury Farm, a working farm that’s free to visit, to see farm animals and regular feeding and milking shows.

• Experience white-water rafting at Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

• Embrace the fear at the Spookers Haunted Attraction.

Butterfly Creek, South Auckland © DWB

ĀWHITU PENINSULA

Underexplored Āwhitu Peninsula is an 80 minute drive from central Auckland and presents an isolated landscape of coastline, wetland and native bush. Karioitahi’s black-sand beach is an adventure playground with hang gliding, paragliding and blo-karting, while Āwhitu Regional Park features tranquil white-sand beaches (Kauritūtahi Beach is our pick) and various walking, biking and horse-riding tracks. Don’t miss the park’s gigantic golden photo frame for picture-perfect selfies. Other must-see attractions include Manukau Heads Lighthouse, the centuries-old Kentish Hotel in historic Waiuku and boutique clifftop vineyards.

AUCKLAND BOTANIC GARDENS

Bursting with colour and harbouring hundreds of differently themed nooks and crannies to explore, the Auckland Botanic Gardens is spread over 64 magnificent hectares. As well as gardens including a children’s garden, rose garden, edible garden, magnolia garden (a highlight in winter) and a native collection, there’s also hidden tracks winding through lush native bush.

Auckland Botanic Gardens, South Auckland © Auckland Council

GET BACK TO NATURE

Visit Māngere Mountain to see the remains of early Māori settlements and to explore the lava dome and crater on a walk or guided tour. You can also visit the Māngere Mountain Education Centre.

Main Image: Māngere Mountain © Scott Venning